MARTIN, Alex and Elizabeth (Auntie) - Bell Farm employees
Alex Martin married Elizabeth Wilson in Scotland. In 1883 they emigrated to Canada, and hired on at the Bell Farm, where Alex looked after the cattle and some 700 pigs. Elizabeth became the primary cook in the Big House - Major Bell's two storey stone house, where she and her helpers cooked for Major and Catherine Bell, as well as over 50 men who also lived in this house and worked on the Farm. She also looked after the dairy: looking after the milk from 22 cows; and washing and scalding milk pails, pans and strainers.
On one occasion, when Lieut. Gov. Dewdney came to visit, there was not enough food in stock, and so she caught and cooked gophers for supper - a meal well-praised by the Major.
In 1885, Major Bell wanted Alex to drive the cattle to the battle front during the North-West Rebellion, but allowed Alex and Elizabeth to remain on the Farm when Elizabeth indicated that if Alex went to the Front, then so would she.
In 1886 the Martins left the Bell Farm and settled on their own homestead in the Rosewood District, north of Ellisboro, and later to a nearby farm in the Qu'Appelle Valley. Their final move was to another farm on the South Hill of the Valley.
SOURCES:
Ellisboro history: "Man! Man! Just Look at that Land", p. 44-46, by Angelena Hughan Campbell, 1966
Sintaluta history: "Tales of the Red Fox", p. 562-564: Auntie Martin
RESEARCH BY:
Frank Korvemaker, Regina, Sask.